Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-16

rience constrain me to refer to another re-
suit which will Inevitably fOllOw the passage
of this bill. 1t is said, but nevertheless
true. that already in the matter of procur-
| ing pensions there exists a widespread dis
regard of truth and good faith, stimulated
by those who, as agents. undertake to es-
tablish claims for PENSIONS. heedlessiy en-
tered upon by expectant henefciaries. and
encouraged, or at least not condemned. by
those unwilling to obstruct their neigh
bors.
In the execution of this proposed law,
under any Interpretation, a wide field OF
inquiry would be opened for the establish
ment OF fraud, largely within the knowl-
edge OF claimants, also; n there can be
NO doubt that the race after the pensions
offered BY this bill would not only stimu-
late q pretended weakness and incapacity
for labor, but further q premium on dis
honesty and mendacity. The effect of new
invitations to apply for pensions, or new
advantages added to the causes Tor pen.
sions already existing. is sometimes start
ling. THUS, in March, 1879, large arrear.
ages of pensions were allowed to be added
to all claims fled prior to january !. 1880.
L VI ~ yOHA IOu OuIy l. Aosos oNty ,
1880, there were filed 11O,673 claims,
though in the year Immediately previous
there we're but SO, 1874 filed, and in the year
following but 18.455.
While cost should not be set against pat
riotic duty or recognition OF rights, still
when a measure proposed is based upon
generosity, or by motives of charity, it is
not amiss TO cogitate3 somewhat upon the
expense which it involves. Experience has
demonstrated, l believe, that all estimates
concerning the probable future cost OF the
pension list are uncertain and unreliable,
and always fall far below the actual realiz-
alton. The chairman OF the House Com
mittee on pensions calculates hat the
number of pensions under this bill would
be 80, 1O5 and the increased annual cost
$4,767,41O. This is upon the theory that
only those who are entirely unableto work
would be it's benefciaries. Such was the
principle Of the revolutionary pension law
OF 1918, which was much more clearly
stated, it seems to me than it is in this
bill. When the law of 1918 was upon it's
%sioners to be benefited thereby was
thought to be 1854, but the number OF ap-
plican's under the act was %, 297, and the
number of pensions actually allowed, 90
485, costing, it is reported, for the first
year, 81, 4 900, instead of the $4,000
estimated for that period. A law was
passed in 1855 for the benefit of the sur
viving widows of revolutionary soldiers
who were married after January 1, 1900.
1t was estimated that they numbered 300
at the time Of the passage of the act. but
the number OF pensions allowed was 3.142,
and the amount paid for such pensions
during the first year OF the operation of
the act was $18O,OOO. instead Of the $24,-
900 that had been estimatrd. I made no
search for other illustrations, and the
above being at hand, are given as tending |
to show that estimates cannot be reliOd
upon in such cases. If hone should be pen
stoned under this bill except those utterly
unable SO work, I an satisfied that the
cost stated in the estimates referred to
would be many times multiplied, and with
a constant increase from year to year; and
if those partially unable to earn their sup.
port should be admitted to the privileges
OF this bill. the probable increase of ex-
pense would be almost appalling.
I think it may be said, that at the close
OF the war OF the rebellion, every State and
and q great majority of the Northern
counties and cities were burdened with
taxation on account of the large bounties
paid all the soldiers and that the bonded
debt thereby created still continues a large
item in the account OF tax gathered against
their people.
Federal taxation, no less borne by the
people than that directly levied upon their
property, is still maintained at the rate
by the exigencies of war. If
this bill should become q law, with it's ire
mendOus addition to our previous obliga-
I am thoroughly convinced that
further efforts to reduce the Federal reve-
nue.. n restore some part OF it to our
people, will. and perhaps should, be seri-
ously questioned.
1t has constantly been a cause OF pride
and congratulati"n to the American citi-
zen that his country is not put to the
charge OF maintaining a large standing
in time peace. Yet we are now living
under a war tax, which has been tolerated
in peaceful time to meet the obligations
incurred in the time OF war. But for years
past, from all parts of the country the de-
mand for a reduction of the burdens of tax
alton upon our labor and production has
in volume and urgency. l am not
to approve a measure presenting the
to which this bill is subject, and
appointing the expectation of the people in
their desire and hope for q relief from war
in the time peace.
In my last annual message The following
was used: Every patriotic
heart responds to a tender consideration
those who having served their country
and well are reduced to restitution and de-
pendence, not as incident of their service
with advancing age, or through SICK
ness or misfortune. We are all tempted
BY a contemplation of such condition to
the limitations of public duty. Yielding
TO no one in a desire to indulge in this feel
ing of consideration, I cannot rid myself
Of the conviction that if these ex-soldiers
Are to be relieved, they and their cause are
to the benefits of an enactment
which relief may be claimed as a
light, and that such reliefshould be granted
1nder the sanction of the law and not in
evasion of it; nor should such worthy OBJ
of care, all equally entitled, be remit
ed to the unequal operations OF sympa-
Thy, or of the tender mercies of social and
political influences, with their unjust dis
=
I do not think that the ob..ects, condi-
ions and limitations thus suggested are
ontained in the bill under consideration.
adhere to the sentiments thus heretofore
expressed, but the evil threatened by this
ill is such, that, charged with a great re-
possibility in behalf of the people, 1 can
lot do otherwise than to bring to the con-
Iteration of the measure my best efforts
thought and judgment, and perform my
duty in relation thereto re.
ardless of all consequences, except such as
,ppear to mt to be related to the best and
ighest interests of the country.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, February IL, 1887.
Oregon Legislature.
SALEM, Oregon, February 12.-The Leg
to-day passed a bill a%uthorizing
he Oregon Railway & Navigation Compa-
y to construct a bridge at Portland. The y
i'll passed both houses last week and was
by Governor Pennoyer. Yesterday ,
] the Senate the bill passed ever the veto I
3 to s. This morning it passed the House 8
L to 8. To-day's action is final. The :
natter has attracted wide interest, because :
pom passage Of the bill depends the con- :
OF the union depot in Portland ,
lease Of the 0. r. & n. line to Union .
'aciic. 7
Knights New Quarters. '